Computational design of binding proteins to EGFR domain II

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 7;9(4):e92513. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092513. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

We developed a process to produce novel interactions between two previously unrelated proteins. This process selects protein scaffolds and designs protein interfaces that bind to a surface patch of interest on a target protein. Scaffolds with shapes complementary to the target surface patch were screened using an exhaustive computational search of the human proteome and optimized by directed evolution using phage display. This method was applied to successfully design scaffolds that bind to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) domain II, the interface of EGFR dimerization, with high reactivity toward the target surface patch of EGFR domain II. One potential application of these tailor-made protein interactions is the development of therapeutic agents against specific protein targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation*
  • Drug Design*
  • ErbB Receptors / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Peptide Library*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary

Substances

  • Peptide Library
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors

Grants and funding

This study was supported by a research grant from the Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University (cri-12-1), a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MEST) (No. 2013R1A2A1A03010110). This work was also supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (No.2010-0028684). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.